Canterbury prides itself as one of the most accessible regions in New Zealand. Home to the second largest city in the country, Christchurch, the region has everything you need for an authentic Kiwi experience.

Christchurch is the gateway to the Canterbury region and the spectacular experiences you will have within the South Island of New Zealand. Explore the range of activities and attractions we have on offer.

China Southern Airlines, the largest airline in Asia and the third largest in the world, will fly three services a week between the South Island and China from December. The year-round service will add 70,000 seats into the South Island and $100 million per annum to the GDP across regional South Island.

“This comes after five years of outstanding work by Christchurch Airport on the development of this key air route from North Asia. The cohesive approach from all South Island regional tourism organisations and tourism operators in promoting our part of New Zealand under the ‘South’ brand in China has been well rewarded,” Mr Hunter says.

“We want Canterbury to be the most China friendly tourism region in New Zealand.”

Christchurch & Canterbury Tourism Cheif Executive Officer Tim Hunter

Over the past two years CCT has invested heavily in upgrading information services to the China market, producing a dedicated Chinese language visitor guide. The marketing organisation also uses social media to share Canterbury tourism experiences with prospective Chinese visitors.

CCT holds regular workshops for local tourism operators to help them work with the Chinese travel trade. This year CCT also partnered with Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology (CPIT) on the Roadside Food Project, working with cafes across the Canterbury region to develop new menus suited to Asian travellers.

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Julia Hunt

International Trade Marketing Manager

Where's Julia? In Sau Paulo attending the inaugural Kiwilink Brazil and Argentina trade show organised by Tourism New Zealand, showcasing our region to the emerging South America market. Over the course of a week, over 80 meetings were held with Product Managers from across both countries, and over 260 Frontline agents were educated on what to see and do in the city and the region.